DESPERATE JOURNEY (1942) A World War II action and aviation film starring Errol Flynn and Ronald Reagan, directed by Raoul Walsh. The supporting cast includes Raymond Massey, Alan Hale, Sr. and Arthur Kennedy. A highly melodramatic film featured a group of downed Allied airmen making their way out of the Third Reich, often with their fists. Propaganda, yes, but the U.S needed it during the darkest days of the war. Principal photography took place from late January-early April 1942, filmed at the Warner Bros. studio, Lake Sherwood (Point Mugu and Point Hueneme) and Warner Ranch, Calabasas, California backlots. Flying scenes were shot at the Van Nuys Metropolitan Airport. Warner Bros. was located in close proximity to the Lockheed aircraft plant, and was able to borrow a production Lockheed Hudson bomber for the film that was already destined for RAF use. The other aircraft that is featured prominently in the film, mainly through a mock-up (shot on Warners Sound Stage 16) and in model work is the contemporary United States and RAF Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress bomber. Ronald Reagan, an air force reservist before World War II, received his call for active service while the film was in production. the US Army was only willing to offer two weeks, forcing Walsh to shoot scenes with Reagan out of sequence, and to use a double for some scenes.**Desperate Journey went on to gross $2 million for Warners Bros., the third Flynn film of that year to reach that coveted mark, according to Variety. Studio bosses were aware the film was being screened during Flynns rape trial, yet the negative publicity actually enhanced ticket sales.
Posted on: Wed, 15 Oct 2014 00:52:46 +0000
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